Reasons to Collect Antique Telephones:
Investment, nostalgia, durability
The telephone has been made by a variety of American and European manufacturers since its invention in the late 19th century. These phones were made exclusively for telephone operating companies who leased them to their customers.
The technology was simple and static with few inovations and tended to follow industry standard design. As newer models were introduced the older ones were either destroyed or warehoused. Most were destroyed and, although many were manufactured, few are left today. Because of their rarity, values have soared.
What we call "original antique phones" are original units from the various periods of telephone design and from a variety of manufacturers, including Western Electric, Northern Electric, Automatic Electric, and many others.
People have many reasons for collecting these wonderful old phones: some simply like the way they look or the solid feel they have when you heft them. Others are in awe of technology invented in the 19th century that still works today, a welcome change from products in our throwaway society. Still others remember some of these phones from when they were young and the presence of old phones is a comforting reminder of their past.
Many people feel these phones will look good in their house, apartment, or office and, in fact, the classic designs of old phones seem to complement any architecture and interior design from any period -- a testament to the timelessness of good design.
